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Location notes

Edinburgh's busiest railway station, this is located on the East Coast Main Line. However, it also serves cross country and local services. Its location, in the heart of the Scottish capital, is both a boon, in terms of convenience, and a hindrance, in terms of room for expansion. Nevertheless, work to increse capacity is ongoing (November 2006), with two new platforms being built, and at least one other being brought back into use.

Edinburgh Waverley runs on an east to west axis, and one curious feature of this is that, to travel to Haymarket, you can use either an westbound First Scotrail service, a northbound First Scotrail service, or a southbound Virgin service!

Railway type and traffic

First Scotral DMU and EMUs dominate the scene, on services to Glasgow (both Central and Queen Street), Aberdeen, Perth, Inverness, Fife, Newcraighall, and North Berwick.The Caledonian sleeper also calls in here. There is one which arrives and terminates here from London Euston, and will be hauled by an DB Schenker class 90. There is also the Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William portions which combine/separate here. These will be hauled on the sections north of Edinburgh by DB Schenker class 67s, and combined to/from Euston, will be hauled by an DB Schenker class 90.The Fort William service, incidentally, carries seating passengers who wish to travel on the section between Edinburgh Waverley and Fort William (or intermediate stations), this coach is marshaled into the train during the stop here. Passengers to/from Glasgow using a connecting DMU service to join/leave the train.Arriva Voyagers on cross country workings, and East Coast class 91s and HSTs complete the scene.Given how busy the station is freight is rare, but not unknown.

Environment

The station is very safe, and is staffed at all times, as well as being covered by CCTV. Police officers frequently patrol the station.

Important:The station is not open 24 hours. Visit the National Rail website and then go to station facilities, and enter Edinburgh Waverley to get opening and closing times. Also, to access platforms 12-18 you will need a ticket, as there are ticket gates installed.

Road directions

Best advice is to drive to outside the city, and get either a train or bus in.

Important:IMPORTANT all bus services in Edinburgh require you to pay the exact fare, and do not give any change. Stagecoach Fife provide services from Fife, and these services give change. Consult the relevant operator for fares.

There are many facilities within the station. The toilets are chargable (20p), whilst there is a WH SMith and Boots the Chemist on the concourse. In addition, there are cash machines and banks in the main ticket hall.

Other facilities can be reached on Princes Street, which is next to the station (though a fair hike up the Waverley steps!), or by the ramps onto Waverley Bridge.

Accommodation

There is no shortage of accommodation available - Visit Scotland can advise. In addition, the tourist office is located near to the Waverley steps. From the Waverley steps, turn left, and you will see the centre, which is also signposted.

Sun Compass

Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Edinburgh Waverley

Shows the New measurement train in platform 11, about to leave and enter Calton Tunnel.

Fig 2 - Looking north west

Shows a class 67 in a former motorail bay. These bays are now used for stabiling locos. This one is being used as a GNER thunderbird. Sometimes, an EWS class 90 will also be stabled.

Fig 3 - Looking west

Fig 4 - Looking east

One of the new platforms under construction is seen to the left of the train.

Fig 5 - Looking west

Just to the right of the portakabin, a blue sign can be seen. The sign is historical, and reads "Original site of the Edinburgh - Leith - Newhaven railway". The railway, long since dismantled, was the first to use Edinburgh Waverley. Ironically, the new tram line being proposed will run from Haymarket to Waverley steps, then Leith and Newhaven!

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